Like most people, our household started off, back in the mists of time, with a desktop PC. Then laptops were introduced, so that eventually enabled each family member to have their own computer. Next came games consoles, followed by netbooks, and then smartphones, whose primary purpose is communications, but can, to some extent, duplicate computer functions.
The word on the street is that, if I am to be fully gadgetized, I should be reading my books on an ebook reader, and I should be dumping my netbook in favour of an iPad, or one the non-Apple equivalents soon to be released.
Why do I need all these devices? Isn’t an iPad-type device just a non-folding netbook? I know that ebooks will soon be as ubiquitous as mp3 players, but what should I be reading them with?
Do I need a smartphone, a Kindle, an iPad, a laptop, an mp3 player and a games console? I don’t want my friends and family looking down on me for being ill equipped. I don’t want to miss out on something I’m being told is the next-best-thing. Should I be buying small, large or inbetween sized devices? Should I stop eating so that I’ll be able to afford these essentials?
Smartphone (which is also an mp3 player)
Ipad (it’s just cooler than a netbook and a Kindle)
Laptop (for getting actual work done)
Nintendo DS (It won.)
Gaming Desktop (for epeen)
Tivo (for streaming Netflix)
Xbox 360 with an xbox gold account (for console achievement epeen)
Wii + balance board + motion dongle (ostensibly, for the kiddies)
Alternatively, you could get an Android phone & and iPod touch, with the Nike pedometer for tracking your jogging. But if you prefer to not shine on a spotlight on your exercise routine, everyone will be happier.
You can never have too many computer devices. There will be computers in everything pretty soon. And I mean everything. Your fucking couch will have a computer in it so it can network with the other furniture and decor to provide the optimal living room experience.
And don’t ask me any follow-up questions about exactly how that’s going to work. I just know that it will.
This list is sadly incomplete. It lacks even some basic peripherals, like a wireless mouse and roll-up keyboard. Also flash drives, at least one for every family member.
Then there are nanny cams, one for every person you love or don’t trust.
And the Lojack-like chip things so you can track anyone who is kidnapped,
And one of those security packages so you can lock or unlock your front door from anywhere on Earth. That means computerized locks, at the least.
Communication: A smartphone, and not just any smartphone. It needs a GPS, data connection plane, Bluetooth and a camera on top of just being able to call out.
Entertainment: You have a choice of a gaming laptop, a portable console (DS-Lite vs. PSP) and your trusty iPhone.
Serious Entertainment: To cover all ground, you need a gaming PC and/or a console, such as Will, PS3 or the Xbox360. To unlock the Ultra Geek achievement, get all 4.
Workhorse: A laptop of your choice will suffice. Your gaming laptop may work too. However, if you are an application developer, there’s no excuse is out-fitting a laptop with dual-booting between PC and Linux just to post Ubuntu error dumps on Facebook (of course, this is tongue in cheek)
Storage: Flash drive is all right but do be hardcore you should get one of those portable hard-disk with impact cushioning. 'cos you never know when you need to wield it as self-defense.
Camera: To satisfy the inner photographer in you. Nope, the smartphone’s camera doesn’t count as a ‘real’ camera.
The Wii will stream Netflix as well, so if you have that, Tivo isn’t needed.
And if you have diabetes, the Bayer Didget is compatible with your Nintendo DS: it unlocks a game if you test every so often, and if your numbers are in a good range. Score!
I assumed the peripherals were understood. Doesn’t everyone have a closet full of spare mice, keyboards, printers & speakers?
You’re right that I missed out on cameras though.
I know the Wii will stream Netflix - so does the xBox. I just mentioned streaming with the Tivo so it’s understood that the Tivo is not for watching TV shows. TV shows are now watched on the Smartphone, the iPad or the laptop.
I didn’t mention a TV either, because, of course, the TV is strictly a peripheral for playing xbox and wii games.
One of my concerns is how many devices should I leave the house with? The smartphone is a given, but as I (genuinely) often take a book with me, that means an ebook reader, and if I want to browse the web (sensibly) while out, I’d have to take a pad of some sort. Three devices? Isn’t this getting a bit silly?
ETA: I forgot the camera. Smartphone cameras aren’t really good enough. Four devices.
You have forgotten your portable entertainment console!
To be serious, a good smartphone is all you need while out, though that doesn’t really cover the ebook reader. The smartphone is able to browse the web and one with a decent screen is good enough for me.
At the moment, I usually just bring out two devices: smartphone and my psp.
Anyway, think about it, the e-book reader will help to reduce the number of books you have to bring out with you. It’s a net reduction in encumbrance.
How is the camera a computer? Did you just mean anything electronic? My phone, GPS and camera are dedicated “dumb” devices, not computers. Under most circumstances, I carry only the phone on me, and only because I have to for work.
I have one computer, a desktop that I built to do everything I want a computer to do.